May it be so: A Mindfulness & Backpacking Adventure
All genders welcome. Ages 15+ welcome.
"The trail doesn't care about your to-do list. It only asks for your presence."
Join Alisha Nissenfeld for a transformative 3-day, 2-night journey. This intermediate, wander through through the woods. This is your opportunity to find sanctuary in nature, our collective care community, and in the home of your very own body. We’ll explore ourselves and the environment in a way that for builds resilience, cultivates self-awareness, and enhances our connection to the world at large.
The Journey: Location possibilities are based on weather and offers a beginner friendly experience.
Uwharrie National Forest, about 90 minutes from the rdu area
The Neusiok Trail in the Croatan National Forrest, about 2.5 hours from the rdu area.
Yoga & Mindfulness in the Wild Expect to move your body and soften your mind. Each morning and evening, we’ll integrate the trail’s lessons with compassion centered yoga and meditation and gentle nourishing movements.
What You’ll Learn & Experience:
Packing your Pack
Sourcing and filtering water, setting up camp, building a fire, hanging bear bags
Leave no Trace ethics to hanging a bear bag and mastering your stove.
Empowerment: A supportive environment to practice problem-solving, trusting yourself, and sitting with discomfort.
Nourishment: We provide healthy, high-energy meals Dinner Day 1 through Breakfast Day 3 and plenty of trail treats. (let me know if you’d like to bring your own food)
Investment: sliding scale $200 - $400/per person (includes meals and a travel yoga mat)
Register by November 2nd. Venmo @alisha-nissenfeld. Thank you for your generous donations.. They contribute greatly toward our pay what you can policy. Become a sustainer and help pay for others to attend
Logistics: We’ll meet at our trailhead by 12:00 PM on day 1 and head out by 1:30 PM on Sunday
Packing: a list will be sent upon completion of registration and updated closer to the date to reflect current weather conditions.
Weather policy: TBD
Refund policy:
100 % refund is available within the first 24 hours of registration, no questions asked. If you need to cancel your registration within 3 weeks of the trip, you can receive 100% credit toward a future backpacking trip. A cancelation within 21-7 days prior to the trip, you can receive 50% refund toward a future backpacking trip. No refund will be offered within 7 days of the trip. Please note, refunds cannot be applied toward Beach or Mountain retreats.
If there is a need to cancel the trip due to unexpected circumstances with the guides, a full 100% refund or credit toward another trip will be offered.
Registration Details:
Soon after registration and payment are completed, we will send an email that includes (a) waiver and (b) medical form, (c) a detailed packing list for gear and food, (d) and trip-specific information .
Required Equipment: (we can help you source gear to borrow, rent or purchase) start asking your friends now
Backpack; suggest 40-45L or bigger
Stove to cook your own food
Bowl and utensil for eating. Note most cooking systems can serve as your bowl
Water purifying system (water chlorination or filtration system)
Shelter (1-2 person freestanding backpacking tent recommended due to weight or hammock)
Headlamp with extra batteries
Trowel for Leave No Trace bathroom practices.
Sleep system (cold weather sleeping pad and sleeping bag/quilt recommended)
Additional items to consider
Sturdy pair of hiking boots or trail running shoes
Sunscreen
Hat
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Hand sanitizer; biodegradable wet wipes
Camp pillow for sleeping
hand/foot warmers
trekking poles
Basic first aid supplies for yourself
Bear bag and at least 30 feet paracord to hand food
Clothes Non cotton layers are key. Consider a pair of clothes for hiking, wool long sleeve top, long pants, socks, warm hat for sleeping, swimsuit, and always an extra pair of dry socks. A fleece or down jacket is also recommended for night time. A raincoat is also highly recommended.
Trash bag (This is placed inside your backpack as a liner and serves to keep all belongings dry if it rains and works better than a pack cover
Food we will provide dinner on night one, breakfast, lunch, and dinner for day two, and breakfast for day three.. We also provide snacks and yummy treats like hot chocolate, trail mix, and other good fuel healthy items. Food will be distributed on day one and each person will carry these items.
You will be gifted a travel yoga mat, let me know if you do not want one.
Packing:
You will receive a video on how to properly pack your pack. We will also offer an in person meeting if there is demand.
Note*** You will carry all of your own things, please make sure you're not carrying too many extra items.